Iran's French Revolution: Religion, Philosophy, and Crowds

It is difficult for many to grasp how and why Islam would remain a powerful form of protest against Islamic governments. Going back to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to explore the work and lives of two important pre-Iranian Revolution thinkers, I will show how Shiite Islam came into play with postcolonial and postmodern theories to bring about the Islamic Revolution-which explains why 30 years later, Islam continues to provide a framework for protest among those disillusioned by the Islamic Republic.